TOEFL to CEFR Converter

Two scales exist as of 2026: the new 1 to 6 band scale (January 21, 2026 onward) is directly CEFR-aligned, and the legacy 0 to 120 sum maps to CEFR via ETS-published ranges. New scale: 6 = C2, 5 to 5.5 = C1, 4 to 4.5 = B2, 3 to 3.5 = B1, 2 to 2.5 = A2, 1 to 1.5 = A1. Legacy 0 to 120: 117 to 120 = C2, 95 to 116 = C1, 72 to 94 = B2, 50 to 71 = B1, 27 to 49 = A2, below 27 = A1. Every score report from January 2026 through January 2028 shows both scales side by side.

On January 21, 2026, ETS introduced a 1 to 6 band scale in 0.5 increments to make TOEFL scores directly comparable to CEFR levels and to other tests like IELTS. The test itself (4 sections, ~2 hours, fully computer-based with AI plus human scoring) is unchanged. From January 2026 through January 2028, every score report shows the new score, the equivalent legacy 0 to 120 total, and the CEFR level. After January 2028, only the new 1 to 6 scale will appear on score reports.

Yes, almost universally. TOEFL iBT is one of the most widely accepted English tests for CEFR-equivalent admission worldwide, especially in the United States and increasingly in Europe. The new 1 to 6 scale was introduced specifically to make CEFR alignment explicit on the score report, so admissions offices can read the CEFR level directly without converting. Two cases need care: per-skill thresholds (some programs require, e.g., minimum 22 in each section on the legacy scale) override the overall, and Canadian IRCC uses CLB rather than CEFR for immigration scoring.

Per ETS: on the new 1 to 6 scale, 6.0 = C2; 5.0 to 5.5 = C1; 4.0 to 4.5 = B2; 3.0 to 3.5 = B1; 2.0 to 2.5 = A2; 1.0 to 1.5 = A1. On the legacy 0 to 120 scale: 117 to 120 = C2; 95 to 116 = C1; 72 to 94 = B2; 50 to 71 = B1; 27 to 49 = A2; below 27 = A1. The new scale was designed so the same numeric value (e.g., a 4 in any section) always corresponds to the same CEFR level (B2), which makes the new scale much easier to interpret than the legacy 0 to 120 sum.

Both. Every score report from January 2026 through January 2028 shows both scales, so you do not need to choose. Universities that have updated their admission language for 2026 will reference the new 1 to 6 scale (and often the CEFR level directly); universities that have not updated will still reference the legacy 0 to 120 cut-off. Both numbers describe the same performance, so reporting both is the safest approach. After January 2028, only the new 1 to 6 scale will be issued.

TOEFL iBT scores are valid for 2 years from the test date for visa, university admission, and employer use. The CEFR level itself does not expire (the same score reflects the same proficiency forever), but most institutions will not accept a score report older than 2 years because language proficiency can fade. The new 2026 scale uses the same 2-year validity window as the legacy scale.

The new 1 to 6 scale uses 0.5 increments to allow precise placement within a CEFR level. For example, 4.0 sits at the entry of B2 while 4.5 sits at the strong end of B2, just below C1 entry at 5.0. This finer granularity helps universities set tighter cut-offs (e.g., 4.5 minimum for engineering programs vs 4.0 for humanities) without the sprawling 0 to 120 range of the legacy scale.

No. IRCC accepts only IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, and the French-language TEF Canada or TCF Canada for permanent residence applications. TOEFL iBT is NOT on the IRCC approved list, despite being widely accepted at Canadian universities for student admission. For Canadian PR, take CELPIP or IELTS GT; for university admission inside Canada, TOEFL iBT works at most universities.